Page 11 of His Impossible Heir

Were they still talking about ice cream? Because it didn’t sound like it! Being satisfied from the beginning to the end…that sounded like…something more than ice cream.

Amanda swallowed hard, her thoughts spinning. But she couldn’t manage a pithy response. Satisfaction? She’d love to be satisfied. Would he be willing to satisfy her?

“I think that…!” She paused. Thinking? What was she thinking about? Thoughts weren’t actually…thinking! Her brain was stuck on a series of images, all of which centered around him…satisfying her. And then Amanda could …satisfy…him…all the way to the end! From beginning to end!

The microphone squealing on the stage broke through the sudden tension pulsing between them. Amanda looked around, startled to find the room still filled with people in glittering evening gowns and tuxedos.

“Please welcome, His Highness, Crown Prince Odenton of Quarati, ladies and gentlemen!”

The thunderous applause startled Amanda all over again. She glanced over at Daniesh and stared as he stood up, buttoned his tuxedo jacket, then strode confidently up to the stage. He took a moment to thank the person who had announced him, who murmured something that made Daniesh chuckle. They shook hands and Amanda wondered what the announcer had said.

There was a crystal thing on the podium. Was that an award? Like an Oscar or an Emmy statue?

Emma sat in Daniesh’s seat, leaned in and whispered, “He’s been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the economics of poverty.”

Amanda’s jaw dropped. “Oh wow. Seriously?”

“Absolutely,” Emma replied with a secret smile. “He’sthatgood!”

Amanda listened as Daniesh spoke. He was funny and articulate, keeping a rhythmic cadence that captured everyone’s attention. Had he written the speech? Or had he hired someone to write the profound and humorous words?

It didn’t matter. The way he spoke, the way he delivered the speech was magnificent. Daniesh had the crowd on the edge of their seats, waiting eagerly for whatever he was going to say next.

He was amazing!

When the speech ended, Amanda jumped up, applauding enthusiastically. Daniesh scanned the room until his eyes landed on her and he smiled. Several heart flips and stomach flutters later, he returned to their table.

“That was wonderful,” she whispered, smiling up into his eyes. “You’re an exceptionally good public speaker.”

“Comes from years of practice,” he replied, taking her hand. “Dance with me?”

As he spoke, the doors to the next room opened up. Amanda was surprised to find a smaller room where the lights were dimmer. A band was playing off to the side and there were several bars set up around the edges of the room. Lines were already forming for drinks, and several couples were making their way out onto the dance floor.

Amanda allowed herself to be led onto the dance floor and she stepped gracefully into his arms.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t think of anything to talk about. He was a prince. He wasliterallyroyalty. Plus, he wasn’t just any prince. He was next in line to rule a freaking country! Okay, so there were rumors that his brother’s wife was pregnant, which would push him back in the line of succession. But still! The man was a freakingprince!

Trying to remember the bits of news she’d read, Amanda focused on the easiest bit of gossip. “When is your niece or nephew due?” she asked.

“Lila’s baby is due in about six weeks. I’m not exactly sure though.”

She spun with him on the dance floor, impressed with his graceful dancing skills. “Will you be upset if the baby is a boy?”

He tilted his head quizzically. “Why would that upset me?” he asked.

“Because you will be pushed back in the line of succession?”

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “That’s actually a benefit. I don’t want to rule Quarati. I want to keep doing the economic stuff. I prefer the financial aspect of helping my people. It’s what I’mgoodat. I understand economics and numbers.” He spun her, ostensibly to keep her from being bumped by another couple, but then he pulled her closer, their bodies brushing together sensuously. “I am more than happy with leaving all of the other stuff to my brother.”

“You don’t help out in other ways?”

He shrugged slightly. “My brother and I discuss some of the more important policy issues together. And he comes to me when he needs advice. But for the most part, I run the financial issues and my brother does the rest.” He grinned. “It seems like a fair trade to me, don’t you agree?”

She laughed and shook her head. “Not a chance.”

He chuckled as well. “Actually, I don’t either. He has a heavy load to bear. It’s not something I would ever want on my shoulders, but if somethingwereto happen to him, I’d absolutely step in until my nephew comes of age.”

“That’s very generous of you. But, it would mean giving up so many things that you love, wouldn’t it? Plus, the freedom that you currently enjoy would be significantly diminished.”

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